It’s never nice to see players suffer serious injury, especially when playing in Celtic colours, and the recent blow to Daniel Arzani was particularly unsettling given his age and the fact it occurred on his Hoops debut.
The Australian international was said to have excellent ability and everyone was excited to see what he could offer week-to-week after his initial period of settling on a different continent.
While the door of opportunity at Celtic has closed for him, until next season at least, it has now opened for two other prospects at the club to step up and show they have what it takes to compete with the likes of Scott Sinclair and James Forrest.
The player who seems closest to that benchmark is summer signing Lewis Morgan, who made the move from St Mirren after a stunning season in the Scottish Championship that resulted in a personal tally of 18 goals and 13 assists, primarily from the Buddies’ left wing.
In nine appearances for Brendan Rodgers’ side he has yet to show that kind of clinical edge, but he has certainly demonstrated a desire to impress and an ability on the ball.
There had been rumours he could be heading out on loan, but he made it clear as recently as yesterday that he has a serious determination to fight for his place at Celtic Park.
With Arzani out of the picture and a mammoth month of fixtures ahead in December, it’s the perfect time for him to make his mark.
Another who’ll be out to impress is teenager Michael Johnston.
After convincing Rodgers that he was worth a place in the first-team squad during the summer, with the manager rejecting the temptation to send him out on loan to develop elsewhere, he has made nine appearances this term, four of which have been starts.
That’s actually more game time than his teammate Morgan and the signs are good he will get more exposure to the senior side in the weeks and months ahead.
With a lack of depth in the wide areas, exacerbated by the injury of Arzani, the path is clear for both to follow in the footsteps of players like Ryan Christie and take their opportunity in the Hoops.
Do you think Morgan or Johnston can play a bigger role than they have so far this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below…